WHOOSH—
Unlike the previous transit using a Miniature Wormhole, the Star Lamp’s "return" didn’t travel through the Dark Cosmos, nor did it open any wormholes or passages.
The starlight shrouding the Dayun merely flickered.
This great ship then vanished from the Original Star Domain.
In the blink of an eye, it reappeared, sketched into existence against the starry sky most familiar to Shi Ming. Looking down, a pure blue planet was clearly visible.
The traveler of the Star Sea has returned!
CAW CAW—
Returning to this starry sky, the Three-Eyed Golden Crow was the first to fly to the bow, feeling quite pleased. ’When I first followed Shi Ming from the Endless Ocean, I was merely S-class,’ it thought, ’and definitely not one of the top contenders among S-class sea beasts. But now, after a little trip, I’ve been completely reborn. I’m a Holy Hall Tier expert!’
’Holy Hall Tier! Times have certainly changed!’
’Who wouldn’t have to call me "boss" now?’
’It’s just a shame that swaggering Abyss Lord died so early at Master’s hands. If it were still alive, I’d definitely show it who the most powerful beast in the Sea of Boiling really is!’
The Twelve-winged King Insect, Ah Jian, on the other hand, showed no emotional change.
It had already left behind clone insects in the Endless Ocean as a contingency for Shi Ming. Now that its main body had also ascended to the Holy Hall Tier, the clones in the ocean were still S-class. It would take a little effort to evolve them all uniformly.
The Dayun went to full speed, sailing toward the azure planet.
Soon, it passed silently through the atmosphere and landed smoothly on the shimmering surface of the sea.
...
...
...
"Though it’s been less than half a year, many changes have occurred in the Endless Ocean. All the King-level Wandering Ship factions, including Starfire, have established pilot artificial continents in their affiliated sea regions. Examples include ’Starfire,’ ’Sky Garden,’ ’New Rome,’ ’Aurora,’ and ’Skyline.’"
The Dayun drifted on the sea like an ordinary ship, unrestrained.
Shi Ming listened to the "report" from Ah Jian.
Ah Jian could instantly access all the memories of its clones, down to the most minute detail, and use its powerful Spiritual Power to filter out the most crucial information. Of course, this didn’t mean unimportant information was not reported, just that it needed to be stratified and prioritized.
"Research on the Unceasing Water has also had a breakthrough."
"Specifically, a plan called the ’Xirang Seal.’ Currently, if we can solve the energy issue and provide an Energy Stone more powerful than the Pure Dome Crystals, this plan can be implemented."
"Meanwhile, the various King-level Wandering Ships, relying on Master’s Map of the Endless Sea, have been overwhelmingly victorious in their battles with the sea beasts."
"The operational space for some long-standing nefarious maritime factions, as well as secretive organizations like the ’Snow Country,’ has been further squeezed."
"The development of the Creation Celestial Pillar’s wreckage is also proceeding in an orderly fashion. Some of the healing genes extracted from the wreckage have led to great leaps in the life and health industries."
"In the last three months, three high-intensity tsunamis have occurred in succession in the Sea of Boiling, the Fujing Mountain Sea Region, and the Lake Baikal Region."
"..."
Shi Ming nodded.
Overall, everything was heading in a positive direction.
The only thing worth noting was the high frequency of super-tsunamis in recent months. Many of the higher-ups on the King-level ships speculated that it was the remaining S-class sea beasts putting up a last-ditch resistance, but Shi Ming felt it might be related to some discordant element within the Creation Star Core.
After his journey through the starry expanse, his power and foundation had been greatly enhanced.
Not only had he found the research results of an advanced civilization, but he also possessed a companion treasure like the ’Wishing Star of All Worlds.’ The Wish Power remaining within it might not be enough to solve this problem directly, but as a support, it could still provide value sufficient to clinch victory.
’This time, all the problems can be solved!’
The Dayun had landed near the Polar Circle. Less than a hundred nautical miles away was the place where Shi Ming had once fought the Dusk Whale. The Dusk Whale’s flesh had completely decomposed, but most of its skeleton still lay at the bottom of the sea, isolated by the Twelve Stars for research purposes.
A little farther south, in an area with a moderate temperature and stable undersea tectonic plates, was the artificial continent ’Skyline.’
It had not yet been officially commissioned and was still undergoing risk assessment.
As dusk approached, the temperature over the sea was very pleasant. Shi Ming detected a familiar ship hunting in the distance. Its hull was mottled and carried the sharp aura of one that had seen many battles. Large chunks of whale carcasses were piled on its wide deck.
The Gold-level Wandering Ship, the *Dream of Salmon*.
The captain of this whaling ship, Chris, was on deck taking stock of the day’s catch when he suddenly sensed something. He craned his neck to look toward the horizon and saw a magnificent, grand ship appearing over it, sailing his way!
With his current worldly experience, how could he not recognize whose vessel this was?
The Grand Patrol Envoy!
Shi Ming!
Excitedly, he wiped the residual blood from his hands onto his whale-leather hunting suit and began saluting the Patrol Envoy from afar with a wave he had learned from a man from Novi. But in the next moment, the man with the thick brows and large eyes saw a flash of light leap from the Dayun. As if teleporting, Shi Ming landed steadily on the deck of the *Dream of Salmon*.
Fast!
So fast!
Before Chris could even react, he heard a familiar voice.
"Chris, long time no see."
"You’re an S-class Awakened now."
The captain of the whaling ship had finished eating the heart of the White Dragon Whale, completing what was known as the most difficult S-class awakening!